15-Hour Traffic Snarl-Up Disrupts Nairobi-Nakuru Highway
May 10, 2025 — Nairobi, Kenya
A massive 15-hour traffic jam along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway has left hundreds of motorists stranded, causing significant disruptions to travel and business activities. The jam, which began late Thursday evening, was triggered by a combination of multiple accidents and ongoing roadworks, creating a nightmare for travelers between the two major cities.
The Nairobi-Nakuru highway, a key route that connects Kenya’s capital with its western and Rift Valley regions, is one of the busiest roads in the country, handling thousands of vehicles daily. On Thursday, the traffic snarl-up began around 6 PM, with two separate accidents on the highway adding to the gridlock caused by construction works aimed at upgrading the road.
Motorists traveling from Nairobi to Nakuru were caught in the standstill for hours, with some even being forced to spend the night in their vehicles. Meanwhile, those heading in the opposite direction found themselves equally stuck, as lanes were blocked and diversions were in place due to the accidents and ongoing construction. The situation was further exacerbated by poor visibility due to rain, which delayed the clearing of the road.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) confirmed that roadworks along the highway were a contributing factor to the extended traffic delay. The road upgrades, which include widening sections of the highway, are part of the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and ease traffic congestion. However, the combination of ongoing works and accidents created a bottleneck that paralyzed movement for over 15 hours.
“This has been an unprecedented situation, and we deeply regret the inconvenience caused to commuters,” said KeNHA spokesperson, David Kioko. “We are working closely with the traffic police and construction teams to clear the area and restore normal flow as soon as possible.”
As the night wore on, the situation became dire, with drivers running out of fuel and essential supplies. Several motorists took to social media to vent their frustration, sharing photos and videos of the gridlock and the challenges they faced. Some complained of being stuck for hours without clear communication from authorities on when the road would be cleared.
“I’ve been here for over 10 hours, and no one has told us what’s going on,” said George Otieno, a driver from Nairobi. “I’ve seen some people giving up and turning back, but there’s no way out. We’re stuck in the middle of nowhere.”
By the early hours of Friday morning, emergency response teams and police were able to clear the wreckage from the accidents, allowing a partial reopening of the road. However, the traffic remained heavy throughout the day, with slow-moving vehicles and diversions still in place in some sections of the highway.
The traffic crisis has raised concerns about the readiness of infrastructure projects and the capacity of authorities to manage such disruptions. Commuters have called for better planning and more effective communication during roadworks to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In the wake of the jam, the government has vowed to put in place more efficient traffic management systems, especially during high-congestion periods and while major roads are under construction. Authorities are also working on implementing real-time communication channels, such as traffic apps and social media updates, to better inform travelers of ongoing delays or accidents.
The Nairobi-Nakuru highway, once fully upgraded, is expected to ease the flow of traffic, but it will require careful management to avoid similar traffic nightmares during construction phases.
Motorists traveling along the highway in the coming days are advised to plan their journeys ahead of time, considering possible delays, and to stay updated through official channels on the status of the roadworks.